When visiting Laugarvatn Fontana you will feel the healing power of steam baths and enjoy relaxing hot pools, plus you can try their traditional rye bread baked on the spot in hot sand.
Laugarvatn Fontana after the renovation (visualization)
source: Laugarvatn Fontana
Laugarvatn Fontana – hot pools, baths and a bakery
Laugarvatn Fontana is a popular geothermal resort in the very heart of Iceland’s most popular route – the Golden Circle – on the western shore of Lake Laugarvatn. The place is nestled in stunningly picturesque surroundings: lush nature, lava fields, hills, humming streams and the beautiful lake. All this makes for great scenery to relax in.
You can step into the icy Laugarvatn lake straight from the saunas
The main part of Laugarvatn Fontana includes three outdoor hot pools: Lauga, Saela and Viska. The pools have different depths, sizes and temperatures. They are great for soaking and rest. Viska – essentially a large jacuzzi – is elevated and offers a panoramic view of the lovely surrounding scenery.
Right next to the pools you will find steam baths. The temperature here varies depending on how hot the spring is at any given time and on the weather. Usually it is between 40 °C (104°F) and 50 °C (122°F). The baths are built to fit the natural processes occurring underground, so the whole experience is truly unique.
Next to these baths you will find Ylur, a Finnish-style dry sauna. Here the temperature is 80–90 °C (175–195°F). Humidity is much lower than in the steam baths and a large window offering a magnificent view of the lake is a big bonus.
After going to the baths, or maybe between them, you can dip into the cold waters of the adjacent lake. You can walk down to the lake on the black sand of the beach or use the deck.
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Traditional bread baked in hot springs
Picture: Laugarvatn Fontana
The Laugarvatn Fontana complex includes a restaurant and a unique, traditional geothermal bakery. Every day (at 10:15, 11:45 and 14:30 in summer; at 11:45 and 14:30 from October 1 to May 31) you can join a bakery tour to see the traditional “underground” rye bread baking in hot sand.
Naturally, you can also try this fresh, warm bread… (the dough is placed in the ground in specially designed, covered pots, so you won’t find grains of sand between your teeth).
A bakery tour costs 3,350 ISK (about $28) for adults (16+); prices for seniors and youth are listed below, and children up to 5 go free. The tours are often sold out, so it is best to book in advance.
Laugarvatn Fontana – ticket prices and opening hours
The place is open all year round.
Opening hours (may differ on holidays):
– June 1 to September 30: 10:00–21:00;
– October 1 to May 31: 11:00–21:00.
Compared to other geothermal pools (such as the immensely popular Blue Lagoon), Laugarvatn Fontana is less crowded and more affordable. Still – and precisely because of this – it makes sense to book your visit in advance. It is best done through their website: Laugarvatn Fontana
Tickets for pools and saunas:
– adults (16+) – 7,490 ISK (about $60);
– seniors and disabled visitors – 6,490 ISK (about $55);
– youth aged 6–15 – 4,990 ISK (about $40);
– children aged 0–5 – free of charge.
Additional services:
– bathrobe rental – 1,500 ISK (about $13),
– towel rental – 800 ISK (about $7),
– swimsuit rental – 800 ISK (about $7).
Lunch buffet (12:00 till 14:00):
– adults and children above 13 – 2,900 ISK (about $24),
– children aged 7–12 – 1,450 ISK (about $12),
– children below 6 – free of charge.
Dinner buffet (18:00 till 21:00):
– adults and children above 13 – 3,900 ISK (about $35),
– children aged 7–12 – 1,950 ISK (about $16),
– children below 6 – free of charge.
Tour of the geothermal bakery:
– adults (16+) – 3,350 ISK (about $28),
– seniors and disabled visitors – 3,000 ISK (about $25),
– youth aged 6–15 – 2,500 ISK (about $21),
– children aged 0–5 – free of charge.
How to get to Laugarvatn Fontana
Laugarvatn Fontana is in the village of Laugarvatn, on Route 37 (close to the junction with Route 365), between Thingvellir National Park and Geysir, in the northern part of the Golden Circle. The shortest route from Reykjavik (via Route 365 and Thingvellir National Park) is about 80 km (50 mi).
Map: driving route from Reykjavik to Laugarvatn Fontana — click to open the interactive map
Most tourists tend to visit other places during the day and come to the pools in the evening. If you choose to do the same, your warm bath may be in the nearby Secret Lagoon in Fludir, the exceptional hot river in Reykjadalur (also nearby), one of the pools in Reykjavik or the Blue Lagoon a bit farther away.
However, it really is worth visiting Laugarvatn Fontana during the day (the bakery tours run at 11:45 and 14:30 all year round) to see the traditional bread baking and of course taste the fresh rye bread. This is a truly unique experience at Laugarvatn Fontana.